This was a gripping story filled with action and mystery that held my attention and grew my curiosity. I really enjoyed the author's writing style that propelled the plot quickly while providing imagery of a magical world of beautiful settings, terrifying creatures, and savage battles. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Lan and Zen, and appreciated the opposing views they carry (morally grey?) and tough concepts that the story and their choices created. For any readers who enjoy YA fantasy, mythology, intricate world-building, and fast-paced plot, pick this book up!

I love anything this author writes. I enjoy her characters and the storyline. It’s a mixer of so many different emotions. I would recommend this book. 10/10

This book was good and I enjoyed a lot of parts of it like the magic system was so cool and unique, Lan the main character, and some of the side characters. But there were things about it that I just didn’t connect with. I thought Zens character could have used more connection points and vulnerability. I think the amount of lyrical description could have been slimmed a bit. I did like the beautiful words and writing but there were times where it got to be overwhelming. And most of the events happened in the last 20% of the book (which is not totally abnormal)

Overall I liked the book, I just didn’t love the book.

Thank you to the publishers for sending me an ARC 🙏🏽

I thoroughly enjoyed this new young adult fantasy. The gorgeous worldbuilding and prose drew me in immediately. I will be highly recommending this to readers!

Let's just say, the cover is not the only stunning part of this book. I knew before I requested this that I loved Amélie Wen Zhao's writing because I read and loved her debut, Blood Heir, a few years ago. I was curious, though, to see what I would think of a new story from her, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked this one even better!

Similarly to Blood Heir, it was the well-crafted worldbuilding that really sucked me into the story, and the Chinese inspiration made for a unique magic system. Additionally, I loved the characters. Lan and Zen stole my heart as much as they stole each other's, and I'm dying to see what will become of them in the sequel.

There's been a fair bit of hype for this one, and I can honestly say that I think it's well deserved. I hope this book finds a lot of success. I'm thrilled to be receiving a finished copy very soon!

Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this book! The storytelling sucked me in and didn't let me go till the end. Lan is just a girl trying to survive in her shattered world. She lost everything and finds a kindred spirit in Zen even though she dislikes and mistrust him from the beginning. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the course of their story. I cannot wait for the rest of their journey to save their people and hopefully not lose themselves to their demons.

Stunning second series debut from Amelie Wen Zhao! Fantastic read awash with magic, mysterious, betrayal, and love. Will be recommending to my bookstore visitors.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very magical book. A little formulaic at times, but if you're a fan of YA fantasies, you'd like this book. I loved the magic, the worldbuilding of the clans, and of course, the Chinese inspiration. However, the romance was not convincing for me at all. It felt very thrown in there, like because this book is a YA fantasy, it HAD to have a romance. Ultimately, it was a fun read, but I don't feel compelled to continue onto the next book.

Song of Silver, Flame like Night is a masterpiece!
It's going to be the next Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Completely different of course, but with the same beautiful, magical, immersive writing, original worldbuilding, lovable characters, strong emotional connections and whimsical vibe. I truly can't imagine anyone reading this book and not adding it to their forever favorites!

The Chinese history, magic system based on qí energies, yin, yang, depth, original powers and non stop action keep you glued to the pages, rooting for Lin and Zen and yelling "just give them a break and let them be, they just found each other!" Their growing, subtle yet deep connections pulls at all your heart strings. Amelie put all her heart into this story and you can feel it. I don't know what kind of stardust she put into her words, but they burrow themselves into your soul, your bones, your mind and transport you into a different world, a different time, that you never want to leave.
And just like with Goddess, I don't think you can really post quotes that make the book justice. Because everything about it is so magical, the writing so clever, whimsical and beautiful, that you have to experience it for yourself to fully grasp the naunces.

Definitely one of my favorite reads of late and I cannot wait for my special edition to arrive!

*thank you for the early copy

This engrossing alt. historical fantasy follows a song girl named Lan, an orphan with a mysterious mark on her arm. No one can see the mark but her. Until one night when a boy saves her life. This we plunge headfirst into this magical world!

What I enjoyed: the writing style overall, political climate, Lan, the ocarina and the mysteries slowly unraveled.

What I didn’t love: the relationship between Lan and Zen (specifically their lack of chemistry), the pacing of the plot, the way the book ended.

I like this one and it was such a solid first book for a series. I love the world building and the Chinese mythology that was brought into the story and the characters are charming as well. I would say though that nothing really stood out for me on a personal level and there was just no attachment for me.

3/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I liked this. It was a solid read. I’ve been reading to read Zhao’s works for awhile but I haven’t gotten around to it until now. I was invested in the story and I love Chinese mythology, so it was really cool.

However, I don’t think anything about this book stood out to me. It was good. Lan was an okay protagonist, Zen was an okay protagonist, the romance was okay. The magic system was cool but I was just reading for the vibes because I wasn’t always sure what was happening.

One complaint I had was that the author used Lan’s complete ignorance of her magic and magic in general for Zen to infodump, which was a lot.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is an epic fantasy from author Amelie Wen Zhao.

This book, inspired by Chinese mythology, introduces a unique magic system and a strong heroine in Lan. I loved her courage and resourcefulness.

This book did have many chapters from the characters pasts, which is not my favorite, especially in the middle of the action, but overall this was a powerful fantasy tale of liberation.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is the first book in a YA fantasy series. Lan is a songgirl in a city surrounded by Elantian colonizers. She has been on her own since the Elantians killed her mother. The only trace of her mother that she has left is the symbol burned into her arm by her mother before she died. When Zen comes across Lan, he knows something is different about her and he brings her to the school where he learns from the practitioning masters.
This was such a fun ride. I really liked Zen and Lan and their relationship. I can't wait for the next book.

You ever read a book that just sticks with you? Whenever someone asks for a recommendation it’s one of the first 5 books you tell someone they should read regardless of their preferred genre? Yea, this is that books for. Let me tell you how much I loved it. I bought two physical copies as preorders and ordered a third to give to someone else.
If you loved Sue Lynn Tan’s books you’ll love this book just as much.
Chinese mythology (box checked)
Social commentary about colonialism (box checked)
PHENOMENAL world building (box checked)
The magic system *chefs kiss* (box checked)

I feel like I can go on forever about this book but just read it!

3.5 (rounded down to 3)/5

I did enjoy this book while reading it but after finishing it 2 weeks ago and already having absolutely no memory of it makes me realize it did not really have a lasting impression on me (which means it wasn't THAT good). One thing I do remember is that I loved Lan's personality because she actually felt like a 15-18 year old girl who has been saddled with a lifetime of responsibility. She's a bit silly, she likes to argue and be playful, and she also cares deeply for others. She's a little badass! I honestly don't remember much about Zen other than what he's like more towards the end of the book; he's a little robotic (which also makes sense for his character).

The depiction of colonization was amazing and really brings home how it would feel to be a native of a country who now has to conform to a new ruler/dictatorship, which has happened all too frequently in history.

The pacing was very slow, as tends to happen in first books of a new series, so I'm not necessarily mad about it, but it is annoying at times.

GORGEOUS cover; adequate plot. I'd still say give this a read, because I definitely remember enjoying it! I just don't remember most of what happened after two weeks away from it.

Actual Rating 4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Childern's, and Dealcorte Press for allowing me to read this book.

Not gonna lie the whole reason I requested Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is the author blubr that basically said it was perfect for fas of The Untamed. That's me. I am the a fan of The Untamed. So much so I have watched it all the way through twice. Read the danmei it is based on twiced and have watch the doungha. After reading it I will say if you are a fan of The Untamed this books is definitely for you.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night explores the complexity of good versus evil beautiful. Lan and Zen are beautiful characters and develop nicely throughout the book. Additonally, I feel the Song of Silver, Flame Like Night makes cultivation seem more grounded in reality. Based on the media I have consumed around cultivation it feels like it has a fantastical element to it. The difference between the two are very nice. If I am remebering correctly there is a conversation between Lan and Zen about it being grounded in reality.

Amélie Wen Zhao's writing is absolutely phenomenal. It sucks you into the story. I could vividly picture everything happening.

On all fronts Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is a must read.


A review will be published on 02/09/2023 @12:00 PM EST on Instagram @abookwormsgarden

This book broke me, but in a good way!!

“It felt good to be a god.
To feel nothing at all.”

SoSFoN just grabs your attention with a captive first line. This is the first book in the series and I couldn’t get more of this story steeped in Chinese lore. The mentions of colonialism & fitting into the majority (cultural assimilation) hit me hard and made me reconsider certains things. Like I said, this book broke me and I’ll carry it with me for a long time.

Thank you Delacorte press for the gifted arc

Really enjoyed the world that Amelie created. The related to the main character and was inspired by their story. Really looking forward to reading more by this author.

Currently stuck around 50% and just not feeling it.
It’s just hitting some of my pet peeves- main character girl whose only woman friend is dead as a motivating factor. All the other women she meets are suspicious of her and over the top mean to her. Lan makes friends in a sort of time jump- one of my pet peeves is when a character says, of the main character, “let her do x, y, or z, she’s my friend!” when we as readers have seen nothing of that friendship. It feels hollow and honestly kind of funny, which removes me from the story.

There’s also a lot of info dumps. The history and magic of the world are interesting and well-thought-out, but the way they’re presented grinds the story to a halt. I’d rather be confused than info dumped. The world-building is the most interesting part to me as the romance felt obvious and the plot had some interesting mysteries but was inconsistently paced.

I’m not mad at it- I think I may finish it eventually- it’s just not pulling me in with the story on the page and life is too short for books that you have to force yourself to read.

Some people have been loving this. Good for you. I think I can see why, I’m just not one of those people.